A dynamic, action-packed digital painting of a West Indies cricketer and a New Zealand cricketer in a tense T20 match moment under bright stadium lights, vibrant team colors, motion blur, and an atmosphere of intense competition.
West Indies vs New Zealand T20I Series 2025: A Thrilling Contest
Series Overview
As of November 2025, New Zealand leads the five-match T20 International series against the West Indies 2-1, with one match abandoned due to rain. The series has been characterized by close finishes, explosive batting performances, and dramatic turnarounds that have kept cricket fans on the edge of their seats.
Match-by-Match Analysis
1st T20I (November 5, 2025)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Result: West Indies won by 7 runs
The series opener saw West Indies post a competitive 164/6, with captain Shai Hope leading from the front with a well-compiled 53 runs. In response, New Zealand appeared to be cruising toward victory thanks to Mitchell Santner's spectacular unbeaten 55 off just 28 balls. However, the West Indies bowling attack held their nerve in the death overs, restricting the hosts to 157/9 and securing a narrow 7-run victory.
2nd T20I (November 6, 2025)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Result: New Zealand won by 3 runs
In a high-scoring thriller, Mark Chapman produced one of the innings of the series, smashing 78 runs off just 28 balls to propel New Zealand to an imposing 207/5. The West Indies chase was equally spectacular, with Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, and Matthew Forde combining for a late assault that brought them agonizingly close. Ultimately, they fell just 3 runs short, finishing at 204/8, as New Zealand leveled the series.
3rd T20I (November 9, 2025)
Venue: Saxton Oval, Nelson
Result: New Zealand won by 9 runs
This match featured one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent T20 history. New Zealand set a target of 177/9, built around Devon Conway's 56 and Daryl Mitchell's 41. The West Indies innings appeared to be in complete disarray at 88/8, but Romario Shepherd (49) and Shamar Springer (39) staged an incredible fightback that nearly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The match came down to the final over, where Kyle Jamieson delivered a masterclass in death bowling, conceding only two runs and taking the last wicket to secure a dramatic 9-run victory for New Zealand.
4th T20I (November 10, 2025)
Venue: Saxton Oval, Nelson
Result: Match abandoned due to rain
Persistent rain played spoilsport in the fourth match, with West Indies at 38/1 after 6.3 overs when play was halted. The abandonment meant New Zealand maintained their 2-1 series lead heading into the final match.
Team News and Player Updates
Injury Concerns
New Zealand suffered a significant blow when wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert was ruled out of the series with a broken finger sustained during a domestic match. Mitchell Hay was called up as his replacement, adding fresh talent to the Black Caps squad.
Retirement Announcement
The series also marked the end of an era as former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson announced his retirement from T20 Internationals at age 35. While stepping away from the shortest format, Williamson confirmed he would continue to represent New Zealand in Test cricket, including the upcoming series against West Indies in December.
Key Performers
West Indies:
- Shai Hope: Consistent batting performances, including a captain's knock of 53 in the first T20I
- Romario Shepherd: All-round contributions with both bat and ball, particularly his heroic 49 in the third T20I
- Shamar Springer: Emerging as a promising talent with his fighting 39 in the third match
- Mark Chapman: Match-winning 78 off 28 balls in the second T20I
- Mitchell Santner: Unbeaten 55 in the opening match and crucial bowling contributions
- Devon Conway: Solid opening batsman with a well-made 56 in the third T20I
- Kyle Jamieson: Heroic final over in the third match that secured victory
New Zealand:
Series Context and Significance
This bilateral series comes at an important time for both teams as they build toward future ICC tournaments. For West Indies, the series represents an opportunity to reestablish themselves as a force in T20 cricket, while New Zealand aims to maintain their consistent performances in the format.
The closely contested nature of the matches underscores the competitive balance between the two sides, with each game providing valuable experience for emerging players and established stars alike.
Looking Ahead
The series will conclude with the fifth and final T20I scheduled for November 13, 2025, at University Oval in Dunedin. With the series poised at 2-1 in New Zealand's favor, the final match promises to be a winner-takes-all encounter that could see either team claim the series trophy.
Both teams will then transition to the longer format, with a Test series scheduled for December, continuing the rich cricketing rivalry between these two nations.
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